JîewZoaland Loan andMcrcantile Agency Com I>any andDalgetty and Co.,regarding payments otho defendants in respect of the carriago of .ton clips of woul, comprising CS19 bales, consigned to those firms, and they stated that in all cases tho defendants paid at through rates from Um squatters' stations to Sydney on tho basis of the squatters' way-bill, and so accouut waa given by tho defendants of amounts paid to the Railway Department for carriago of the clips.

Similar evidence was also given regarding consignments of nine clips of wool, comprising 48S7 bales to the Australian Mortgage, Land, and Finance Company. The witnesses wero also oxamined as to the practice of tho Railway Doparlnient and substantially boro out the evidence given by Mr. Goodchap.

Further rains are reported from all parts of tho colony, in many caaos over 2in. havo fallen. The rivers are flooded, but nothing serious has yotbeen reported.

A deputation of carpenters and joiners waited on the Premier to-day to ask the Government to alter the proposed new tariff by imposing increased duties on doors and all dressed timber, and to reduce the duties on undressed timber. The deputation stated that thoy attributed the depression in trade to the large importations of joinery work which would bo done in the colony if higher duties were imposed. Sir Patrick Jennings in reply said the main object of the tariff proposais wore to raiso revenue, and raw and manufactured articles were therefore taxed alike. Ho gave no hope of any departure from the lines laid down by the Government.

Tho Parcels Post system between Now South Wales and Great Britain comes into operation on the 2nd of August, the first mail carrying parcels being by the P. and O. Company's R.M.S Rome, on tht> 4th of August.

Since Saturday upwards of 2iin. of rain havo fallen over the Botany watershed, but still the quantity is Gin. or 7in. below the fall of the corresponding period of last year.

The gold rush to Tantavvanglo has proved a failure, and most of the diggers havo left the ground.

On Saturday night a fire broko out aboard the barque Hertfordshire, lying alongside the Lime-street wharf in the harbour. The vessel was only slightly damaged, but the cargo was considerably damaged by fire and water, The vessel was discharging a cargo of wheat, with which she recently arrived from liow Zealand. The enrgo was insured in Now Zealand offices. The fire broke out amongst some sails in the 'tween decks.

Tho brig Jane, while loading timber at Capo Byron, went ashore on Fallon Beach, about twelve miles north of the Richmoud Heads on Sunday afternoon ; all hands wero sovod. The vessel has broken up. The brig was a very old one, and was the properly of P. Hogan, of Sydney, and uninsured. A heavy easterly gale was blowing at the timo she wa3 stranded.

Ariived : Syren, brig, and Rockton, steamer,

from Brisbane.

Sailed : Guthrie, steamer, for Hongkong, via ports.

VICTORIA.

MELBOTJKNE, July 26.

Pencil, Opal, Brigantine, and Prometheus havo been scratched for the Melbourne Cup.

A deputation from the clothing manufac- turers waited on the Commissioner of Customs to-day, and urged that the duties on woollen and piece goods should not be increased beyond 20 per cent. Mr. Walker, in replying, said that tho Government had only one object in increasing the duty on woollen goods, and were anxious to clfect the result in the way least objectiouoble to the trado. If the Government found that the suggestion of the deputation could be adopted, he saw no reason why they thould not agrco to ask the Tailors' Society lo approve of an increased duty upon goods invoiced at 2s. Gd. per yard, but not to apply after that.

The City Council to-day, resolved to prepare a bill for submission to Parliament conferring powers on the corporation to construct or purchase gasworks, and to borrow money for this purpose. This is to give effect to a resolu- tion recently arrived at regarding the desira- bleness of purchasing the Metropolitan Gas Company's business,

The engineer to the Tramway Company has announced that the Collingwood and Victoria parade lines are expected to be open for traffic early in September.

The Rev. J. G. Paton has arranged for an interview with tho Premier on Thursday next. Mr. Paton has certain information to communi- cate concerning the recent action of the French in the New Hebrides, and desires to bring forward the Now Hebrides question generally.

Copious rainfalls are reported in all parts of the colony. It commenced raining on Satur- day and still continues.

The Cabinet to-day considered tho proposal to increase the duty on woollen piece goods to 25 per cent instead of 20 per cent, as at first propoaed by the Government. The Cabinet decided to adhere to the original proposition-. namely, to increase the du'y by only 5 per cent, on the ground that a larger addition would do great damoge to the clothing industry.

The Premier has received a cablegram from Sir Graham Berry, Btating that the Homo Government absolutely declines to allow the occupation of the New Hebrides by France. Sir Graham Berry's despatch, dated 24th July, states that "The Secretary for the Colonies has enclosed me copy of a despatch from tho Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the French Ambassador, stating that her Majesty's Government, having regard to the overwhelming, if not unani- mous objections of the Australian colonies to the arrangement proposed, and after much consideration of all the issues involved, cannot consent to any departure from the pre- sent understanding. " Tho despatch then refers to the difficulties arising from the French transportation of criminals to the neighbourhood of British dominions, against which earnest and repeated protests have been made, and closes with a recognition of the conciliatory and amicable spirit shown by the French Ambassador during the negotia-

tions.

Richard Gibson, the well-known stock and station agent, died on Saturday.

Betting fairly started to-day on the Caul- field and Melbourne Cups. For the Caulfield, Silvermine has been backed to win £5000 at 100 to 5. Oxenhani offered to take 1000 to 15 about any one of his three five linier. Joe Thompson accommodated him to that antouut against Mackay. Merrimu has been booked ut 2000 to 80 ; and 1000 to 30 has been taken Wicc on William Tell ; 3000 to 100 waa offered. For the Melbourne Cup, Trenton had a hacker for 5000 at 10C0 to 40; regarding Malua, a commission was evidently in market for 5000 to 1000, offered by Joe Thompson, and at once a commiasion was willing to go on at a price. But the best offer then was 10,000 to 400 in one hand. Commo- tion is hacked at 100 to 3 to win from £2000 to £3000. On the Maribj rnong Plate it w as men tioncd that 1000 to 60 would havo been taken about a candidate whose name did not trans- pire, and the offer was then 1000 to 100 twice, ïor the Derby 800 to 100 on the field waa

offered.

.Regarding the woollen specific duties, what

was required by the deputation was that the Government, instead of defining what good» should bo exempt from duty, they should state exactly upon what material tho import was

to bo placed.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

ADELAIDE, July 20.

A sample of water from Coward's Springs has been analysed, .and found fit for diinking purposes, but a little too salino for irrigating

many plants.

A telegram from the Government Resident of tho Northern Territory states that Jensen's last crushing was 540oz. ; and that during the last two years Jensen has obtained 33S0oz. of gold.

Further reports stales that rain is falling in tho agricultural districts, and over lin. had fallen in the north-west pastoral country.

TASMANIA.

HOBAKT, July 20.

Tho results of the general election, though not complete, show that Ministers havo gained a victory, and their most rabid opponents appear to havo been generally rejected in the country districts. The returns show that several new members are likely to be returned, though some old opponents of the Ministry are also elected. On the whole tho returns, together with members elected unopposed, make it appear that the Ministry will havo a fair start in the new Assembly. Every- thing passed off quietly except at one polling booth, which was closed owinjj to the riotous behaviour of the people, but this waa caused by tho want of sufficient accommodation,

NEW ZEALAND.

AUCKLAND, July 26.

It is reported that a large portion of the White Terraces have fallen in.

In the Legislativo Assembly an amendment to the Government Loan Bill has been pro- posed, disfavouring the commencement of now railways until the present ones arc completed. The Premier announced to-night that if the amendment wa3 carried the Government would resign.